William Foote

Bill Foote was a true teacher: a man who loved knowledge and learning, and who had the gift of educating and inspiring others. From his congregations to the students in his college courses and Sunday school classes, Bill touched countless hearts, teaching about his two great passions: English literature, and the Christian faith. He taught as he lived life – with wisdom, compassion, and joy. Bill’s words and actions will live on in the hearts and memories of all those who had the privilege of knowing this remarkable man.

William “Bill” Foote was born on July 10, 1926, to proud parents William Sr. and Ella (Anderson) Foote. The Foote family lived in Chicago, Illinois, where William Sr. was a Pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, as well as an English professor. Bill would be a lifetime member of the Church of the Nazarene, and attended his first services at the age of 7. He also followed in his father’s literary footsteps, with William Sr. teaching Bill to read even before he started school. William Sr. had been born in Cambridge, and raised his children with loving but strict New England values. In later years, Bill would recall childhood memories of streetcar rides, a common type of travel in those days, and of visits to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

When Bill was seventeen years old, the family moved to Door County, Wisconsin, which was Ella’s hometown. The following year, he graduated from Gibraltar High School and went on to Olivet Nazarene College. At Olivet Nazarene, Bill met the young lady who would be the love of his life: Reuhama “Reu” Steadman. Bill and Reu were on dishwashing duty together, and the rest is history. The happy couple was married on June 5, 1948, in Ohio.

After graduating from Olivet Nazarene College with a degree in religion and a minor in English, Bill continued his education at the Nazarene Theological Seminary of Kansas City, Missouri. He earned a master’s degree in divinity from this institution, and later a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois.

Bill and Reu settled down in Kankakee, Illinois, where Bill was an English teacher at Kankakee High School for seven years. He was then invited to join the staff of his alma mater, Olivet Nazarene University, where he taught English for the next 27 years, until his retirement in 1995. Bill’s great-niece, Trina Lynn, remembers having her Uncle Bill as a professor at ONU. Bill loved teaching, and there was always a big smile on his face as he lectured to his classes. Not only did Trina gain a new enjoyment of literature from Bill’s lectures, she also appreciated how fair he was – no special treatment for family members!

In addition to his professorial duties, Bill also served as a minister for Limestone Church of the Nazarene and several other Nazarene churches in Michigan. In Kankakee, he belonged to the Kankakee College Church of the Nazarene, where he enjoyed teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. Bill was active in many community organizations, including civil war groups, the Phi Delta Lambda Honor Society, prayer groups, and many different historical foundations.

In his free time, Bill enjoyed reading, photography, music, conversation and traveling. He and Reu were avid travelers, exploring destinations including Hawaii, Europe, and the Middle East. He loved reading, and often browsed through area bookstores. In fact, the Barnes & Noble employees liked to say that Bill had every book they ever sold! He remained very close to his extended family, and looked forward to family gatherings. He enjoyed spending time with the younger generation, and always encouraged them in their endeavors. Bill’s great-niece remembers a shopping trip with Aunt Rue and Uncle Bill when she was young, during which Uncle Bill impressed her by making a paper worm out of a straw wrapper.

Principled and intelligent, friendly and kind-hearted, Bill was a devoted husband, a loving uncle, a brilliant professor, and an inspiring minister. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Mr. William Foote Jr. went to be with his Heavenly Father on November 29, 2012, at the age of 86. Bill’s family includes his brother, Roderick Foote of Oregon; eight nieces; three nephews; several great-nieces and -nephews; several sisters-in-law; and one brother-in-law. He was preceded in death by his wife, Reuhama Foote, on October 04, 2008; one brother; one sister; and his niece, Joy Grable.

A gathering time for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 3, at the Bourbonnais Chapel of the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held at College church of the Nazarene on Tuesday, December 4, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Kankakee Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Aroma Twp. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the William G. and Reuhama E. Foote Scholarship Foundation. Please visit Bill’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.